In Part 1 of this series, we unpacked Radical Listening, through six core practices: Noticing, Quieting, Accepting, Acknowledging, Questioning, and Interjecting.
We also explored how Radical Listening paired with Strengths unlocks new levels trust, emotional safety, and growth.
Today, let’s explore how each of these skills can shape the relationships that matter most: love, parenting, friendship, and strategic relationships.
Radical Listening Tenet Number 1: Noticing
Pay attention to what’s beneath the words.
Biblical Lens:
“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.” – Proverbs 20:5
In Love:
Noticing how subtle shifts in your partner speak louder than their words. This might look like fatigue in their voice, quiet sighs, or shorter answers. Strengths like Empathy or Intellection can help you lean into that intuitive awareness.
In Parenting:
Children rarely say exactly what they feel. Notice what’s not being said. Is their behavior a call for connection? A withdrawal from stress?
In Friendship:
Catch the nuance. A friend saying “I’m fine” with a flat tone might be hoping you’ll ask again. Individualization can be used to track their emotional rhythms.
In Strategic Relationships:
Leaders with Strategic or Analytical might default to facts. However, noticing emotional shifts in team meetings can reveal what data doesn’t show.
Radical Listening Tenet Number 2: Quieting
Silence your internal agenda to be fully present.
Biblical Lens:
“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” – Proverbs 16:32
In Love:
When tensions rise, we often rehearse rebuttals instead of listening. Quieting helps you respond from peace, not pressure.
In Parenting:
If you’re high in Achiever, it’s tempting to multitask, even during meaningful moments. Take 60 seconds to breathe before you engage.
In Friendship:
Social media and digital noise drown out our ability to listen well. Create distraction-free space to truly hear your friends.
In Strategic Relationships:
Quieting allows leaders to stay grounded when navigating differing perspectives. If you lead with Command or Self-Assurance, pause before asserting and listen before leading.
Radical Listening Tenet Number 3: Accepting
Listen without judgment or correction.
Biblical Lens:
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8
In Love:
Your partner may need space to feel. It’s not about fixing. Radical Listening accepts, even when you disagree. If you lead with Belief or Context, balance conviction with compassion.
In Parenting:
Teens, especially, test boundaries. Accepting doesn’t mean permissiveness, it means seeing their humanity before their mistakes.
In Friendship:
True friendship holds space for disagreement. Folks high in Harmony can bring grace to moments of opposing views.
In Strategic Relationships:
Accepting others’ communication styles builds relational equity. If you have Analytical or Deliberative, don’t let logic override empathy.
Radical Listening Tenet Number 4: Acknowledging
Affirm others in a way that helps them feel seen and valued.
Biblical Lens:
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” – Proverbs 16:24
In Love:
Daily affirmations go a long way. “I noticed how patient you were with the kids today” means more than generic praise. Strengths like Positivity or Woo shine here.
In Parenting:
Don’t just praise achievements. Acknowledge qualities. Courage, kindness, resilience. Kids with Responsibility or Relator thrive on meaningful recognition.
In Friendship:
We all need someone to say: “I see how hard you’re trying.” Be that friend. Make it specific to the recipient’s needs.
In Strategic Relationships:
A 30-second moment of acknowledgment builds trust. Acknowledge risk-taking, perseverance, or quiet leadership in colleagues.
Radical Listening Tenet Number 5: Questioning
Invite deeper reflection through curious questions.
Biblical Lens:
“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.” – Proverbs 18:15
In Love:
Ask with curiosity: “What’s been on your heart lately?” Questions open space. If you have Input or Learner, lean in without interrogating.
In Parenting:
Instead of “Why did you do that?” ask, “What were you hoping would happen?” Great questions help kids grow in emotional intelligence.
In Friendship:
Rather than “How’s work?” try, “What’s been giving you energy lately?” Questions show care.
In Strategic Relationships:
In work settings, powerful questions surface motivation: “What outcome matters most to you here?” This deepens alignment and reduces assumptions.
Radical Listening Tenet Number 6: Interjecting
Offer brief, purposeful words or reflections that deepen the moment, without interrupting.
Biblical Lens:
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.” – Colossians 4:6
In Love:
Sometimes a simple “That means a lot to me” or “I hear you” can turn a moment into connection. People with Communication or Activator should practice timing and restraint.
In Parenting:
Interjections like “That took courage” or “I’m proud of how you handled that” reinforce identity.
In Friendship:
Use short affirmations to validate without derailing. “That’s really powerful. I’m glad you shared it.”
In Strategic Relationships:
Before offering your insight, ask yourself: “Would it be okay if I shared a thought?” This sets you up for establishing respect and influence.
Want to Make These Practices Stick?
Check out my guided reflection worksheet that’s dedicated to incorporating your Strengths with each element of Radical Listening.
Use it with your team. Share it with your family. Reflect on it in your own leadership and faith journey.
Download the “Listen with Wisdom” infographic here.
Or, if you’d like to chat 1:1 about Radical Listening, why not book a call?
Closing Encouragement
Radical Listening is a commitment.
Whether you’re sitting across from a spouse, mentoring your child, texting a friend, or leading a team, Radical Listening plays a role in how you live your faith, love your people, and lead with Strengths.
“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18
Listening is love in action.
Listening is leadership in motion.
Listening is where transformation begins.
